Published 09:37 IST, October 7th 2020

"You have ended roads": Rahul Gandhi adds fresh intellectual leap in farm laws debate

Addressing a gathering on the concluding day of his "Kheti Bachao Yatra", Rahul Gandhi attacked PM Narendra Modi claiming that he is 'lying' about the farm laws

Reported by: Navashree Nandini
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Addressing a garing on concluding day of his "Kheti Bachao Yatra" which started from Punjab's Moga district on Sunday, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi claiming that he is 'lying' about farm laws. Terming it 'India's fight', Rahul Gandhi claimed that if provisions under new farm laws are implemented, "farmers will become slaves of corporates."

Moreover, fearmongering on farm laws, Rahul Gandhi said that land of farmers will be taken by "chosen corporates of Modi government" naming 'Ambanis and Adanis'. "Wher you want to believe it or t, do remember that Rahul and Amarinder Singh once told you that your land will be snatched. This is time to take action. If you wait for six months or one year, n it will be of use"

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Stating that Congress party stood for rights of farmers, Rahul Gandhi furr claimed that PM Narendra Modi criticised him "every day", but he and his party worked to "save land." Narendra Modi comes to Parliament and his first job is to repeal, abolish laws. Congress party stood up and said that we will t let you do this," he said. Rahul Gandhi also added that PM doesn't kw "power of farmers of Haryana and Punjab", adding that  farmers will die but fight for his rights.

However, while Opposition has been attacking Modi government on matter for weeks w, and with even Akali Dal splitting with NDA over matter, Rahul Gandhi invoked a completely new line of attack that makes little sense:

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"Narendra Modi says farmers can sell ir produce anywhere w. When re won't be roads n where will farmers go? Roads were built using mandi tax, and y've ended mandi tax, meaning you have ended roads."

Rahul simplified his attack to an extent that it takes a new and unrecognisable form, claiming that Farm bills would combine to literally 'end roads', in a move that is similar to his infamous 'Supreme Court has said Chowkidaar chor hai' over Rafale acquisition process, and before that, to his telling a Karnataka rally that government has done away with SC/ST Act, both of which were untrue. Rafale remarks incurred Supreme Court's wrath, with Rahul Gandhi subsequently being pulled up. 

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READ | Haryana: Farmers marching towards DyCM Dushyant Chautala's residence tear-gassed, stopped

READ | Haryana BJP Neta Quits Party Over Farm Laws; says 'govt Should Address farmers' Concerns

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PM Modi on farm laws

Amid politics, terming pass of farm bills in Parliament as a "watershed moment", PM Modi had on Sunday reiterated that MSP system and government procurement will continue. He added that se bills would enhance efforts to double income of farmers and ensure greater prosperity for m. Moreover, PM predicted that farmers shall have easier access to futuristic techlogy to boost production and yield better results. He gave an assurance that NDA government will do everything possible to support m and facilitate a better life for ir coming generations. In a veiled dig at opposition, he mentioned that some forces were trying to mislead farmers.

READ | Post Pass Of Bills, PM Modi Reassures Farmers On MSP System & Government Procurement

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SAD quits NDA

However, BJP has also faced blow due to farm bill as  Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), one of oldest National Democratic Alliance (NDA) allies, parted ways with party and its party leader Harsimrat Kaur Badal who was Union Minister resigned. Justifying its exit from NDA, SAD cited 'Centre’s stubborn refusal to give statutory legislative guarantees to protect assured marketing of farmers crops on MSP and its continued insensitivity to Punjabi and Sikh issues', as reason. However, a video surfaced in which Harsimrat Kaur Badal was seen praising farm bills. 

READ | PM Modi Hails Pass Of 'historic' Farm Bills, Warns Of Attempt To Mislead Farmers

09:37 IST, October 7th 2020